I want to retire at Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he has no intention of leaving Real Madrid, admitting that he is considering finishing his career at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 28-year-old attacker was briefly linked with a return to Manchester United earlier this year, after stating that he was not happy in the Spanish capital, but eventually opted to sign a new deal with Los Blancos until June 2018.

Ronaldo does not regret that decision one bit, explaining that he is not in the least bit interested in leaving Madrid.

"Right now, I feel as though I want to finish my career here because I'm very happy," the Portugal international told Cope.

"I love living in Madrid, playing at the best club in the world and I can't ask for more. When things are good, when you're settled and motivated to do well, you worry less about the future. 

"I feel loved here. This is my fifth season at Real. It's hard to reach the people at the Bernabeu to start with.

"The truth is that I didn't feel as though I had found my place on the field in the first few years. But then I realised that maybe it was me who was wrong. 

"Now I'm 100 per cent happy. It's like a dream every time I go to the Bernabeu, the people really love me. I want to stay here for many years to come and see out my contract, there's no other club like Real."

Ronaldo has made over 200 official appearances for Madrid since joining them from United in the summer of 2009.

Platini is a jealous man

Former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has launched a withering attacking on Michel Platini, labelling the Uefa president "a jealous man".

Earlier this year, the Brazilian was banned until June 2014 for allegedly pushing a match official after a Ligue 1 fixture against Valenciennes in May.

Though the suspension was subsequently quashed by Paris’ Administrative Court, Leonardo, who resigned over the affair, remains bitter about Platini's involvement in his case.

"I did not step down voluntarily. It was the result of an exaggerated reaction by the league and the federation. Politics played a big role," the ex-Selecao star told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I don't like certain things that have been said and I did not like how Platini behaved toward me. He went around saying things about me that are unacceptable.

"Platini is a politician and a jealous man."

Leonardo stepped down from his position at PSG during the summer and has since been out of work. He was recently linked with a return to Inter, but has yet to receive a formal offer from the Nerazzurri.

West Ham vs Chelsea (24hfootball.info)

Jose Mourinho's side needed a controversial last-gasp penalty from Eden Hazard to draw 2-2 against West Brom before the international break.

That came after a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle the previous weekend and they can ill afford to drop more points against Sam Allardyce's strugglers.

Chelsea lost 3-1 at Upton Park in December last year despite Juan Mata giving them an early lead, but that represents the only defeat in their last 15 meetings with West Ham. 

Mourinho will be hoping that striker Fernando Torres is available to return after a leg injury kept him out of the last two games.

If the Spain international is fit, he will vie for a starting berth with Samuel Eto'o. Midfielder Marco van Ginkel is a long-term absentee with a knee injury.

Ashley Cole is also a doubt after aggravating a rib injury during England's defeat to Germany on Tuesday, while Mata and David Luiz will also be hoping for a recall at the end of a week that marks a year since Roberto Di Matteo was sacked.

West Ham, meanwhile, are without a win in their last four Premier League games and sit level on points with third-bottom Fulham.

Allardyce's side have only scored one goal in their last three top-flight matches and have been playing without a recognised striker in recent weeks in the continued absence of club-record signing Andy Carroll.

And the former Blackburn manager knows they will have to be at their best if they are to get the better of Chelsea this time around.

"Anything less than top form for all of our players would make life difficult for us. We will have to produce the end product because chance creation will be harder," he warned. 

Allardyce is hopeful James Collins and Joey O'Brien (both hamstring) will be available for selection, but fellow defender Razvan Rat (hamstring) is a doubt.

Ribery ruled out of Dortmund clash (24hfootball.info)

Bayern Munich will have to make do without the services of Franck Ribery in this weekend's Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund due to a rib injury.

The 30-year-old suffered a minor fracture in France's 3-0 win over Ukraine on Tuesday as he helped les Bleus turn around a 2-0 loss from the first leg of their qualification play-off in order to seal a ticket for the 2014 World Cup.

Tuesday's win came at a cost, though, as Ribery will now miss the highly-anticipated game against second-placed Dortmund, which he admits is deeply frustrating.

"This is very bitter. I really wanted to take part in the big game against Dortmund," Ribery told the official Bayern website. 

"However, I am condident that the team will be successful without me as well this time."

Bayern will also be without the injured Bastian Schweinsteiger, Claudio Pizarro, Xherdan Shaqiri and Holger Badstuber on Saturday, although Jerome Boateng has confirmed he will be fit to play a part.

Dani Alves ruled out for up to 10 days with injury (24hfootball.info)

Barcelona have confirmed defender Dani Alves will be sidelined for up to 10 days with a leg injury.

The Brazil international, who has been on international duty in North America and Canada in the past week, underwent tests on Thursday after complaining of a problem in his right leg.

Barca have since revealed the 30-year-old has sustained a minor problem in his lower hamstring which will rule him out of the upcoming clashes with Granada and Ajax.

"Tests conducted this Thursday morning confirmed Dani Alves has a small hamstring injury in the soleus of the right leg. The time of recovery will be approximately 7-10 days," a statement on the club's official website confirmed.

"As such, Alves will miss the matches with Granada and Ajax in Amsterdam."

Alves joins a growing list of injury problems at Camp Nou, with Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Victor Valdes, Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique all currently sidelined.

Spain star Xavi and attacking youngster Cristian Tello are also doubtful for Saturday's game with Granada.

Inter academy can be the best in the world (24hfootball.info)

Inter president Erick Thohir feels the Nerazzurri youth academy is one of the best in Europe, but has vowed to turn it into one of the finest in the world.

The Giuseppe Meazza side won the inaugural edition of the prestigious NextGen Series in 2011-12, yet very few players of that successful squad - such as Samuele Longo and Lorenzo Crisetig - have forged their way into Walter Mazzarri's first-team plans.

However, Thohir is adamant that Inter's youth set-up is up there with the very best in Italy and Europe and feels it will be key to restoring the club to the summit of Serie A.

"Inter have one of the best academies in Italy, even in Europe. I want it to be one of the best in the world," Thohir told Sky Italia.

"I don't agree that you can't win anything with young players. At the end of the day 11 players go out on the pitch. 

"We can have superstars but we can't have all superstars. With a combination of superstars and young players you can always have a good team. 

"I think all successful teams start with talented young players, it's always a combination."

The Nerazzurri sit fourth in the league table, with 25 points from 12 games, ahead of the weekend trip to Bologna.

Ronaldo slightly ahead of the rest, admits Dani Alves (24hfootball.info)

Barcelona defender Dani Alves has admitted that Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has been in better form than Ballon d'Or rivals Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery, but feels the Portugal star's lack of silverware this year could cost him the prize.

The 28-year-old has been in sensational form in 2013-14 so far, netting 24 times in 17 appearances for los Blancos, while four stunning goals in the World Cup play-off against Sweden saw his Portugal side claim a 4-2 aggregate win.

While he admits Ronaldo has excelled as an individual this year, Alves believes Madrid's trophyless campaign in 2012-13 puts him at a disadvantage in the Ballon d'Or race.

"Cristiano is in a very, very rich vein of form. This year, I think he's slightly ahead of the rest," the Brazilian defender was quoted as saying by AS.

"He's playing very well and he's scoring goals and that increases his chances. It's true that he hasn't won any trophies, but he has been in very good form.

"My bets are Messi and Ribery. If it isn't Messi, I'd give it to Ribery simply because he has won everything and he has led Bayern Munich to success on all fronts. To be in for the Ballon d'Or I think that you have to win some sort of team silverware."

Atletico even better than I thought (24hfootball.info)

David Villa admits the early-season success of Atletico Madrid has exceeded his expectations, even though he knew he was joining a strong squad.

Diego Simeone's side sit second in La Liga after 13 games, just three points behind champions Barcelona, while they won their opening four matches of the Champions League group phase to confirm their place in the knockout stages.

The former Barcelona striker concedes that the capital club's fine form to date has come as a pleasant surprise to him.

"I expected to find something good, but this has been better than what I imagined," Villa told Marca.

"I had an image of a great team, a tough team who it was always very difficult to play against. Then I saw there was an exceptional group too – a very healthy locker room. 

"But in football there are not many coincidences, this team had been on a path that included two Europa Leagues, two European Super Cups, one Copa del Rey won against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. That cannot be coincidence.

"The team was already there and now I have just come in to try and help them to grow."

Villa says the team sprit at Atletico has impressed him hugely and believes it is a central factor to any successful side, such as the bond held between players in the national team.

He continued: "I always give the example of Spain. A strong and united team alone may not win you a World Cup, but it certainly helps you to win it. 

"The atmosphere here is very good. We have a tight-knit locker room where everyone would give something up for the next person. That extends to the relationship with the coaches, the physios ..."

The forward also paid tribute to Simeone for transforming the fortunes of the club in the past three seasons.

"Simeone is a guy with a very large character. He conveys through coaching what he experienced as a player," Villa added.

"Atletico have not achieved all of this by chance. The success speaks for who he is and why the players believe in him.

"Important people at the club told me that Simeone has changed the whole mentality of the club."

Nigeria, France, Portugal & the nations that have qualified for the World Cup

With the completion of the European and African play-offs, as well as the intercontinental ties between New Zealand and Mexico, and Uruguay and Jordan, we now know the identity of every participant in the 2014 World Cup.

Tuesday's games saw Portugal book their ticket for next summer's tournament at the expense of Sweden, as Cristiano Ronaldo netted four goals over two matches to help his side to a 4-2 aggregate win.

France, meanwhile, completed an impressive comeback at the Stade de France as they beat Ukraine 3-0 to overturn their 2-0 surprise loss from last Friday.

Elsewhere, Croatia eliminated Iceland as they recorded a 2-0 home win after a scoreless draw in the first leg last week. The final European ticket went to Greece, who sealed qualification with a 1-1 draw versus Romania after a 3-1 first-leg victory.

In Africa, Nigeria became the first team to make it to next year's finals as they beat Ethiopia 2-0 at the weekend to make it 4-1 on aggregate. Cote d'Ivoire also booked their ticket on Saturday as they held Senegal to a 1-1 draw following their first-leg win. 

On Sunday, Cameroon qualified with a 4-1 home win over Tunisia, while Ghana eliminated Egypt 7-3 on aggregate despite their 2-1 defeat on Tuesday. Finally, Algeria sealed their World Cup berth following a 1-0 home-win over Burkina Faso that saw them qualify on away goals.

Wednesday's intercontinental play-off between Mexico and New Zealand then saw the former become the penultimate team to reach next summer's tournament. A 4-2 away-win more than proved enough after a heavy 5-1 victory in the first leg.

Later in the day, two-time champions Uruguay were surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw by Jordan in Montevideo, but still cruised through 5-0 on aggregate to become the 32nd and final side to qualify for next summer's finals in Brazil.

Uruguay 0-0 Jordan (agg 5-0)

Uruguay were surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of their intercontinental play-off with Jordan on Wednesday night but still progressed to the World Cup courtesy of a 5-0 aggregate win.

A five-goal first-leg victory in Jordan last week all but guaranteed qualification but the Uruguayans still had to finish the job in front of their home fans on Wednesday.

Head coach Oscar Tabarez named an unchanged Uruguay starting line-up, with attacking weapons Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani occupying the two striking positions.

It was up to the Jordanians to make all the running, needing at least five goals to force the game into extra-time.

The away side started encouragingly, pushing numbers forward to trouble the South American's defence but once Uruguay secured control of possession, the tie fizzled out with neither side creating many clear-cut chances.

Uruguay had two good opportunities in the first half with Cavani creating space for himself before blasting high and wide and Diego Godin's close-range header from a corner hitting the crossbar.

Diego Lugano came closest for the home side in the second period when his free header drifted narrowly wide.

The Uruguayans, sixth in the Fifa world rankings, will enter Pot One for the World Cup draw on December 6 and will avoid being drawn in a group with hosts Brazil, reigning champions Spain, Germany or Argentina.

Sweden 2-3 Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a sensational hat-trick as Portugal beat Sweden 3-2 (2-4 on agg) and booked their place at World Cup 2014.

The Real Madrid man had scored the only goal of the first leg in Lisbon on Friday night and it looked to be plain sailing for Portugal when he opened the scoring in the second leg just after half-time.

However, this had been billed as duel between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo and the Sweden skipper stepped up to the plate with a double to level the tie on aggregate at 2-2.

But Portugal were still in front on away goals and Ronaldo made sure as he first levelled on the night and then scored his hat-trick to take his tally to 13 goals in his last six games and become his country's joint-leading scorer in the 4-2 aggregate win.

Such was Ronaldo's brilliance that Ibrahimovic applauded the Real Madrid striker when he scored his second goal as Portugal qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup finals, while Sweden miss out for a second successive finals.

The Seleccao lost striker Helder Postiga to injury in the warm-up and so Hugo Almeida replaced the Valencia striker, while Sweden coach Erik Hamren kept faith with the same side that was beaten in Lisbon on Friday night.

After a frantic start it was Portugal who came close to the opening goal after 15 minutes, when Bruno Alves rose to meet Jose Moutinho's inviting free-kick and his downward header was palmed away by Andreas Isaksson.

Ronaldo tried his luck with his left foot from 25 yards, 10 minutes before the break, but Isaksson got down to make the save. And the Real Madrid forward should have done better less than a minute later when he blazed over the crossbar from around 12 yards out after Joao Pereira picked him out.

Sweden were struggling to live with the Portugal captain's movement and seven minutes before half-time he found space then stood up a cross to the back post for Almeida, but the Besiktas striker headed wastefully wide of the near post from close range.

Ronaldo had yet another chance two minutes before the break when he got on the end of Nani's cross but once again failed to test Isaksson.

Sebastian Larsson had a golden opportunity to level the tie three minutes into the second half when Rui Patricio denied him from 10 yards out after Ibrahimovic had pulled the ball back.

And that miss proved costly, as just a minute later Moutinho set Ronaldo away with a delightful through ball and this time he made no mistake with a deadly left-foot finish to stun the home crowd.

Sweden looked devoid of ideas, but they were given a lifeline after 67 minutes when Ibrahimovic headed home a corner from the right.

The Swedes then thought they had a penalty soon after when Kim Kallstrom tumbled in the area, but referee Howard Webb booked the midfielder for diving.

Ibrahimovic took matters into his own hands once again, however, when he rifled a free-kick through the wall 18 minutes from time to level the tie on aggregate.

But Ronaldo was not finished yet and he levelled with a fine left foot finish as Sweden were hit on the break 13 minutes from time and then completed his hat-trick a minute later by rounding the keeper and netting once again.

There was still time for Ronaldo to almost become Portugal's leading scorer, but this time he was narrowly off target. However, that was never going to take the gloss off his outstanding display.

England 0-1 Germany (24hfootball.info)

England were consigned to back-to-back Wembley losses for the first time since 1977 as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Germany on Tuesday.

Less than a minute after Joe Hart denied Per Mertesacker, the Arsenal centre-back - Germany's only Premier League representative on the night - exposed aerial frailties in the home defence by powering home.A pair of second-half stops from Hart prevented Germany from enjoying an easier assignment on a night when leading lights such as Mesut Ozil were rested, while Tottenham winger Andros Townsend struck the post having been England's most vibrant attacking option for most of the evening.

On the back of Friday's 2-0 reverse to Chile, England manager Roy Hodgson has plenty about which to think, especially as an unseeded place in the World Cup 2014 draw leaves the prospect of similarly formidable opposition.

Hodgson opted for the XI at which he had hinted pre-match as Hart started for the first time since Manchester City's defeat at Chelsea in October and Adam Lallana retained his spot following an enterprising debut against Chile.

At 33, Roman Weidenfeller became the oldest goalkeeper to make his international debut for Germany and was one of five Borussia Dortmund players in Joachim Low's side, including the Bender twins, Dortmund's Sven and Bayer Leverkusen's Lars, in midfield.

England started brightly but failed to test Weidenfeller - Wayne Rooney's looping 20th-minute header that nestled on top of the net the closest that they came.

Germany were far more clinical and, after Hart magnificently denied Mertesacker and diverted the follow-up behind, the Arsenal centre-back rose above Chris Smalling cross to finish Toni Kroos's cross as the resulting corner was only partially cleared.

England captain Steven Gerrard was inches away from levelling on the stroke of half-time with a vicious 30-yarder that dipped over.

Hart impressed once more four minutes into the second half, out quickly to block Marco Reus's shot after Mario Gotze picked his way through a host of England challenges.

England responded well and two last-ditch tackles were required to deny Lallana before Townsend - whose searing run brought about the former opportunity - clipped the base of Weidenfeller's post with a left-footed drive.

Recalling his recent wobbles, Hart made an ill-advised dash from his area and clattered Smalling in trying to deal with a lofted pass but 26-year-old offered another demonstration of his quality with a superb reaction stop from Gotze.

England's back line was breached once again as substitute Sidney Sam lofted over but Sturridge spurned a chance at the other end with 70 minutes played, failing to take Rooney's sharp pass into his stride.

Smalling almost atoned for his earlier mistake when his 80th-minute header was deflected behind by Julian Draxler before Germany repelled an enthusiastic late push from their hosts.

Australia 1-0 Costa Rica (24hfootball.info)

Substitute Tim Cahill's second-half header earned Australia a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in Ange Postecoglou's first game at the helm.

The veteran midfielder scored just 17 minutes after being introduced from the bench, heading home Tommy Oar's 69th-minute corner with the help of a notable deflection at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.

It allowed Postecoglou, who replaced Holger Osieck after a 6-0 loss to France, to mark the occasion of his first match in charge with a promising victory.

Mark Milligan and Robbie Kruse starred for the home side, while youngster Tom Rogic looked dangerous in a 25-minute second-half cameo.

Australia almost suffered a disastrous start when Jason Davidson prodded the ball past his own goalkeeper following a mix up, but Ivan Franjic stepped in to clear to safety.

The hosts settled in to the game after that, with Patrick Pemberton becoming increasingly occupied in the Costa Rica goal.

After Milligan had set up Mathew Leckie to shoot wide, Kruse's heavy touch let him down after he had been sent clear by Rhys Williams' excellent throughball.

Postecoglou's men continued to probe, earning a corner from which Mile Jedinak fired a shot on goal from inside the six-yard box, but Pemberton made a comfortable save.

The first chance of the second half fell to Costa Rica but Wellington Phoenix striker Kenny Cunningham miscued with only goalkeeper Mat Ryan to beat.

Cahill was brought on in the 52nd minute, replacing Leckie, and he rose highest to nod in Oar's excellent delivery, with the ball taking a wicked deflection off Junior Diaz on its way in.

Argentina 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina (24hfootball.info)

Argentina ended their two-game winless run with a 2-0 triumph over Bosnia-Herzegovina thanks to a double from Sergio Aguero.

The Manchester City striker scored in both halves but should have been sent off before his second goal for lashing out at Bosnia defender Sead Kolasinac just before the hour-mark.

But the referee only showed Aguero a yellow card and the 25-year-old forward wrapped up Argentina's win with a thumping strike five minutes later, as Alejandro Sabella's team notched just their second victory since they secured World Cup qualification.

Argentina qualified for Brazil 2014 in September with a 5-2 win away to Paraguay but after beating Peru 3-1 in their next international, Sabella's side lost to Uruguay in their final World Cup qualifier and drew with Ecuador in New Jersey on Friday.

Monday's game at Busch Stadium started in frantic fashion with Rodrigo Palacio and Aguero both failing to convert chances from close range before Bosnia's Vedad Ibisevic missed a one-on-one opportunity, all within the first 10 minutes.

Aguero's Manchester City team-mate Edin Dzeko was next to miss in an open start to the game, as his shot across goal squirmed wide of the far post.

As the first half wore on, Argentina started to gain the ascendency and deservedly hit the front in the 40th minute. Angel Di Maria's header over the top of Bosnia's defence found Palacio and although the Inter striker failed to beat Asmir Begovic, Aguero thumped home the loose ball.

The referee erred in not showing Aguero a red card in the 59th minute as the Argentine striker stamped into the back of Kolasinac's buttock after the Bosnia defender had brought him down in the box.

Aguero took advantage of the referee's leniency in the 64th minute, running onto Maxi Rodriguez's clever chipped pass and crunching his half-volley past Begovic.

Bosnia kept attacking for the remainder of the match with Dzeko sending a 30-metre shot wide of the goal, while Argentina had two more big chances to score with Aguero scooping the ball over the bar following Begovic's save from Palacio and Erik Lamela missing from close range.

But despite the chances, both sides failed to score and Argentina claimed victory in their last match of the year.

Italy 2-2 Nigeria (24hfootball.info)

Shola Ameobi scored one goal and set up another as Nigeria held Italy to a surprise 2-2 draw on Monday.

Stephen Keshi's men headed into the game having clinched their place at next year's World Cup with a play-off win over Ethiopia on Saturday.

And the African nation carried that momentum into the friendly clash at Craven Cottage, producing a determined performance against the four-time World Cup winners.

Italy were on top for much of the encounter and took the lead early on thanks to Giuseppe Rossi.

Nigeria launched a superb fightback, though, with Ameobi setting up Bright Dike for the equaliser before giving his side the advantage with a fine improvised volley.

Cesare Prandelli's side did level through Emanuele Giaccherini, but there were to be no further goals despite numerous opportunities for both teams.

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu replaced Gianluigi Buffon in goal for Italy, while Fiorentina striker Rossi was included up front as Prandelli made eight changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Germany on Friday.

Newcastle United forward Ameobi was among those recalled to Nigeria's line-up.

Nigeria had the better of the opening exchanges, but it was Italy who took the lead 12 minutes in, as Rossi converted with a delicate finish following great hold-up play from Mario Balotelli.

Sirigu producing a strong save to prevent Ogenyi Onazi's long-range effort from finding the net as Nigeria sought an immediate reply.

Italy dominated for the majority of the half, though, and had opportunities to double their lead, with Milan duo Ricardo Montolivo and Balotelli both spurning clear chances.

Despite Italy's dominance, Nigeria levelled things up 10 minutes before half-time when Dike rose highest to head home Ameobi's superb cross.

There was then a further shock for Italy five minutes later as Ameobi cleverly converted Francis Benjamin's near-post delivery to give his side an unlikely lead.

Balotelli came close to a stunning equaliser as half-time approached, controlling a deflected high cross in audacious fashion before testing Augustine Ejide with a vicious volley.

But Nigeria's lead lasted only two minutes into the second half. Rossi linked up well with Antonio Candreva before Giaccherini slotted under Edije.

Substitute Marco Parolo twice had the chance to put Italy in front for a second time, firstly blasting over from point-blank range after substitute goalkeeper Victor Enyeama had pulled off a fine stop from an Andrea Pirlo free-kick, and then seeing a deflected effort strike the post.

Balotelli and Nigeria substitute Emmanuel Emenike each squandered clear openings in the closing stages, but neither side could find a winner.

The closing stages provided particularly frantic fare as play switched from end to end, much to the delight of those in attendance.

Brazil vs Chile-Match Preview

Brazil will aim to continue their fine form against Chile when the two sides meet for a friendly in Toronto.

Chile have not beaten Brazil in their last 11 attempts, with the five-time World Cup winners taking eight of the last nine meetings between the sides.Luiz Felipe Scolari's men will be confident of extending their unbeaten run against Chile, having won their last five matches, conceding only once in the process.

After clinching the Confederations Cup in June, Scolari's side tasted defeat in Switzerland before going on to rack up wins against Australia, Portugal, South Korea, Zambia and, most recently, Honduras.

Five different players - Bernard, Dante, Maicon, Willian and Hulk - got on the scoresheet in Brazil’s 5-0 win at the weekend.

However, Brazil are likely to face their toughest test in recent months when they take on a Chile side who are unbeaten in 10 and have the in-form Alexis Sanchez in their ranks.

The Barcelona forward has 10 goals in as many games for club and country after scoring twice in Friday's 2-0 win over England at Wembley.

His last three appearances for Chile have produced five goals and the 24-year-old believes his country could yet achieve something special in next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

"We have to believe that Chile have a chance. It is not a home tournament but we must take advantage of it being in South America," Sanchez told The Daily Express.

"We will not have to adjust to the conditions as much as other nations."

Fans at the Rogers Centre could well be in for an entertaining affair, with goals seemingly on the menu.

The last eight fixtures between the two sides have all featured at least three goals, with Brazil alone managing three or more in all but one of those encounters.

Romania vs Greece-Match preview

Romania will look to their fine recent home form as they enter Tuesday's World Cup qualifying play-off second leg with Greece 3-1 down.

In the past 12 months, the Romanians have won five out of seven encounters on home soil, beating the likes of Belgium and Australia, both of whom will be at next year's tournament in Brazil.A double from Konstantinos Mitroglou sandwiched an effort from Dimitris Salpingidis in Athens on Friday, with Romania's away goal - which could prove crucial - coming courtesy of Bogdan Stancu.

Indeed, Romania have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches in Bucharest and Salpingidis is anticipating a tough test on Tuesday.

"Of course, in theory, we have the best chance to qualify, especially after we won the first match with a two-goal difference," said the Greece forward.

"However, the distance between winning and losing is very small, especially in big football games.

"We have to be careful in Bucharest; we have an extremely difficult mission there."

Greece coach Fernando Santos has led his side to seven consecutive victories and they have only suffered defeat once in 15 matches.

Santos will hope Mitroglou continues his rich vein of goalscoring form, which has seen the 25-year-old score seven times in as many appearances for club and country.

The Olympiacos striker was the star performer in the first leg and the Romanian defence was unable to keep him under control.

Victor Piturca is without his captain Vlad Chiriches due to the defender's broken nose.

Both sides have a player suspended for the match, although Romania may not miss midfielder Alexandru Bourceanu as much as the visitors will miss captain Kostas Katsouranis.